make do and mend for tougher times

danetastic

Fuddle I also think moving in with your mum is a BAD idea. I think you also know this in your heart of hearts too. All it would take is one argument and then you would really be stuck . Your doing REALLY well and as others say compare where you are now to before you've come a long way . Your doing brilliant keeping your family together and you should be really proud.
I KNOW that I couldn't live with my mum again as she makes little comments that really hurt ( one that comes to mind is when out she saw someone very very overweight turned to me and said " oh we'll there is some hope for you then " - cheaply mare and I'm only 3 stone overweight and dealing with that ) we are also too alike so grate on each other .

Watching the news things are going to be harder . Fuel rising groceries costing more but it could be worse . Look at all the unrest in Greece and Spain and it can put things in perspective. I wonder how many in those countries had stores to tide them over .
Everywhere is saying this winter is going to be bad so I'm adding a few bits to put away as 2 years ago during the bad snow our local sm ran out of everything basic . I have also got work keeping me empty juice containers as even tho my home is new build I had no running water for 10 days . Scottish water said mains was ok that it was my pipes that were frozen and gave me 6 litres . That was it . This year I'm going to be prepared . If it doesnt happen no harm done if it does it will be ok .

Popperwell

SpikyHedgehog wrote: »

As a 5ft 2 in person... Some people are giants! :rotfl:

Mum was 5ft 2ins and I think I am only around 5ft 4ins but it doesn't bother me...

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

I'm a bit weird in my thoughts about buying v renting. I so want my house for the security aspect of it but having had my house repo'd I know it's no more secure than renting privately.

I awoke to an email from BT telling me the landline is going up 85p per month in Jan. I thought, could have been worse. I then clocked that British Gas are upping their prices effectively adding £12 per month to my direct debit. I'm cross, it's too much but they won't be getting it from me. Like mentioned above... i'll be watching TV in my coat! :mad:

All these houses HAD to convert to gas, HAD to be smokeless fuelled, HAD, HAD, HAD. Now I live in a property with a blocked in fireplace and blocked off chimney that could warm all the downstairs. I'm livid right now and that's on top of a toilet that doesn't flush properly, and now has water trickling constantly costing me water rates because I'm on a meter. Cry? I'm past bloody caring! :mad:

EDIT: It won't be as much as £12 as it's 6% rise not 8% like I thought.

So true Fuddle I guess life never came with a guarantee and it can change in seconds:(

I saw that about BT:mad:and what are the extra costs for exactly especially if the line is already installed? I don't get it. My own phone line rental has increased by £1 monthly or will be(I paid up front in advance whilst I could)and when it comes around again I will be looking for ways to reduce it.

Don't I know it we had to go onto gas CH and actually preferred a coke boiler system and having an open fire. I don't use much water, I really don't but still have to find £10 a week water rates(don't have a meter)it cost more than my electric and gas combined. If that was less I would probably use more gas and electric.

Regardless of the reasons given about the environment/carbon emmissions I would go back to solid fuels in a flash...and when people say in a smaller home I'd spend less on utility bills I doubt, it is still too expensive.

Equally, its ok the companies, charities, politicians saying but it on and don't put your health at risk, if you cannot afford it or still have to pay it back, its a silly suggestion and especially if the prices continue to rise as is happening.

Like you I will be looking for other ways to stay "warmish" and let us not forget we will be paying still even though we are trying to avoid using gas and electric. Even by paying standing charges. Then even if we use less or the small amount that we are using now if they keep putting the price up you are paying more...

And the heating in shops will be added to what we buy.

Interesting that by law where you work has to be kept to a certain temperature but back at home we may not be able to afford to keep the temperature to what is supposed to be for our well being so live in a cold house and try to compensate by having hot drinks, wear more clothes, dive under the duvet, wear thermals and bedsocks. Something isn't right.

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

I've been on the council site as the new houses are up. They've ben there since midnight, they already have 89/104/37 etc people putting in for them. We are just never ever going to stand a chance.

I feel so trapped.

I've got to go to work now. I hope I can plaster a smile on my face in 20 mins time/

Well, this is a problem even when considering downsizing around here too and the rents are no less being in a smaller property, just that in a larger property you have the bedroom tax to find...sorry will have to find it!

There are no easy answers...also every area around the country is different.

Popperwell

nuttyp wrote: »

We owned our own house, but due to unemployment we also were repossessed and eventually got local auhority housing. Ive moved once and now live in a small village. Only downside everyone wants to know your business - can be very annoying at times. Im very lucky that we dont have any debts, maybe having being declared bankrupt, but again ive kept to saving and then spending when i have it.

Currently converting the outbuilding into a conservatory syle dining room witht he washing machine and tumble dryer in. Our local council are ok, as long as you pay the rent on time type of landlord.

I too wish i owned my own house, but i dont and cant... but we have a nice cosy home. I source thing from flebay, buying secondhand has always been our way.

Just about to extend some curtains, by adding a row of colourful ribbon and then adding a contrasting panel at the bottom. Bargain charity shop find.

Hope i havent bored everyone.

And I still wish we were renting from a council and not an HA. All councils around here were disolved and all housing stock transferred and that was done not by our present Government but the previous one...

Just heard...NPower have put their prices up by 9% and we thought the 6% British Gas were increasing their prices by was bad...:eek:

Popperwell

mardatha wrote: »

Life hasn't changed much for the better has it? If you look at the Victorian years, then WW1, then the hungry thirties, then WW2 - the best time was when I grew up (so its all thanks to moi, I hope yer all grateful. send sweeties if you are) - the 50s and 60s were the best times out of the lot I think. In the 70s things were very depressed and it went downhill fast from there. I think, anyway.
I was born in 1950

I agree Mardatha even if a little younger myself, I still lived through the 60's and what has followed.

ginnyknit

Fuddle, thank god you have decided against the move to Mums. I have been thinking about it all day. i love my Mum and she is good to us but would be a royal pain in the a** to live with. I remembered you talking about her before and I knew she was hard work and very judgemental - if I rememeber rightly. Now you have OH on board with the pennypinching things will soon improve.

I made yoghurt then turned it into cream cheese today and have astounded OH, he thinks Im a genius :T well he knew that already but it has confirmed it :rotfl:

Just made a huge pasta bake with economy pasta, leftover pork, 29p cheese sauce and a sprinkling of breadcrumbs and cheese and I am starving - cook quicker please!

De-hydrator on with the leeks in my neighbour gave me, my stock of dried veg is coming on a treat. Other than that not achieved much today as we went and babysat while Dd stocked up on food. Im impressed she actually listened. Also found a competition on her pack of loo rolls for a VW camper van so have ordered her to enter it for me, I couldnt really steal the wrapper and leave her loo rolls all over the bathroom so i could do it myself :rotfl: Told her to buy more every week as theres no sell by date on them - she laughed at me ! Well you always need loo rolls for ever more dont you.

katieowl_2

DD's place is so damp that lasagne sheets have gone green and mouldy in her cupboards :eek: LL says it's damp because they are 'drying washing indoors' !!!!!!...they don't have a garden or a tumble drier what does he expect tpeople to do? He's apparently sending someone around with a dehumidifier, they are on a key for the electric, I have warned her that it will eat the money like nothing on earth :mad: They aren't intending to stay there anyway they've another couple of months to go...

Lovely afternoon while I was at w*rk, and then when I get home and want to take the goggies out it poured with rain. Again. So sad

Hit the Spar on the way home to buy baccie for the young master. Have wised up now to the small reduced section they have, so got two four packs of Muller fat free greek yoghurt for 19p each, two beef pasties (now shared with dogs) for 25p each, a couple of pork chops for 50p and a packet of bacon for 75p...well worth checking as later in the day they mark down lots.

Saw the other DD in Mr A (she was working) they apparently got slightly flooded yesterday in the torrential rain that hit Cardigan, just under the door, they are on a hill, fortunately not to serious.

Dinner tonight is some beef burgers I pulled from the freezer this morning, all the packing has gone now to save space, but I seem to remember they were the 'good' Jamie Oliver ones, I bought some of the Ald! fake homefries to go with them and a packet of soft rolls for the Masters (Young master and old master ) Also bought one of those ash collectors for the fire, that connect to the hoover. OH is being very scathing, but it seemed like a good idea/invention to me, and being as how it's Dobby that often has to clean out the fire, Dobby is all for a labour saving gadget!!!

Kate

shegar

fuddle wrote: »

Oh Shegar, yes enjoy. I'm really envious. I fell asleep to the youtube video last night, so relaxing.

Yes, Lyn I can rearrange the cupboards downstairs. Will my food be ok in the floor level cupboards? I could swap the tins to the floor level actually and put the lesser secure (thinking mice) stuff up higher?

All done Well the furniture is in which wasn't a lot. Think New build master bedroom, you can shuffle round the bed but it's cosy... if you can look past the bright yellow and green bedroom with jungle curtains :rotfl:

So pleased I did my spag bol in the SC.

Ive also got the cd plasma fire , they are so nice to watch.......
I hope one day you to will be lighting your fire, think positive and have faith, things come to those that wait(my gran use to say)......

We had good ole chips,sausages,and beans for tea , I know it sound simple but we are satisfied with that, I must admit I cheated and used Mc cains oven frys, cor they were nice with butchers sausages.........

Just put hubby to bed, he not too well, also his bloods are not right with this DVT.......
Nurses come out every morning take the blood , take it to hospital , then the anticoagulant office ring me in between 5 and 7 pm and tell me warfarin to give him and clexane injection.........

Nurse done an assessment on us both this morning and she knows im under pressure with the amount of nursing care he now needs, im doing my best but its pulling me down with my own health probs, so we are going to give it until January and he may have to go into nursing care , ive been thinking about this for the past year cos im getting too wore down and ill.........Im only 54 and he is 53 , but age dont count if your ill.........You can have people in their 80 s with excellent health .............Thats the way it goes in life.......

Im not going to get myself down over it, because for now he is here and im going to take one day at a time, and get on the best way I can............
Well im not planning on doing anything tonight apart from going to heat the kettle cos I need a water bottle on my shoulder , dam arthritis................

Tomorrow at 5 ish pm im going to watch the red deer in their rut season, Ilove to put comfy coat on and my wellies and take the binoculars , and go for couple hours, love the wildlfe so much.........

Catch you later...

Popperwell

fuddle wrote: »

Not sure about having my food in the damp room but no choice at the moment.

Sorry to read Npower have raised their prices too

The raising of energy anywhere is not good as soon there will be nowhere for anyone to switch to and none of these schemes where prices are frozen for a set time...I'm with NPower for both gas/electric good job I signed up until October 2013 before this happened. Damned home insurance is due soon:mad::(

If your food is sealed and in cans/packets I don't see a problem and if you are keeping it on the opposite side of the room or middle of room I think it will be fine.